Day 7 – Kylie Walker, DVCS Board Member

Name: Kylie Walker

Position: DVCS Board Member

When did you start working with DVCS: October 2015

What is your favourite thing about working at DVCS: The privilege of working behind the scenes to support an extraordinary team that is making a material difference in people’s lives, every single day.

What do you think is unique about DVCS: DVCS really lives it’s mission by working towards a world without violence, be addressing violence when it occurs, bu supporting those who’ve been subjected to it to stay safe, by supporting those who use it to learn other ways, by working with children who’ve lived in violent homes. I love that this important, but often very challenging, work is done with kindness, strength and optimism.

How do you think the DFV landscapehas changed over the past year: As more and more people have felt empowered to speak publicly and privately about their experiences of DFV, more and more people have come forward asking for help. This is a huge milestone in the way in which we as a society approach this unfortunately very widespread problem. Shining a light on the darkness leaves those who use violence fewer and fewer places to hide. Services like DVCS have struggled to keep up with the steadily increasing calls for help, and DVCS has done a phenomenal job in looking after all of those who’ve asked for it.

What would be the one message you want people to take away from reading about you: When it comes to DFV, I’m fierce. I fiercely defend my right and my children’s right to not live with it. I fiercely defend the right of all those who have experienced it to seek and be given assistance. I will always teach my daughter that she is worth more than a violent partner, and my son that he is worth more than using violence. And I will always campaign for, defend and support those who work so hard to help people who’ve been subjected to it.